Depreciation and Section 179 Expense

Increased section 179 limits. The maximum section 179 deduction you can elect for qualified section 179 property placed in service in 2007 has increased to $125,000 ($160,000 for qualified enterprise zone and qualified renewal community property). This limit is reduced by the amount by which the cost of qualified property placed in service during the tax year exceeds $500,000.

For qualified section 179 Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone property, the maximum section 179 deduction is higher than the deduction for most other section 179 property.

Depreciation limits on electric vehicles. The higher maximum depreciation deduction for a passenger automobile that is an electric vehicle does not apply to electric vehicles placed in service after December 31, 2006.

Limited reduction in Liberty Zone tax benefits. The special depreciation allowance for qualified New York Liberty Zone property does not apply to property placed in service after December 31, 2006 (except for qualified nonresidential real property and qualified residential rental property).

Self-Employment Tax

The maximum amount of net earnings subject to the social security part of the self-employment tax for tax years beginning in 2007 has increased to $97,500. All net earnings of at least $400 are subject to the Medicare part of the tax.

Standard Mileage Rate

Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit

For taxable years beginning in 2007, the monthly limitation regarding the aggregate fringe benefit exclusion amount for transportation in a commuter highway vehicle and any transit pass is $110. The monthly limitation regarding the fringe benefit exclusion amount for qualified parking is $215.

Work Opportunity Credit

After December 31, 2006, the welfare-to-work credit was combined with the work opportunity credit. Use Form 5884, Work Opportunity Credit, to claim a credit for an employee who begins work for the employer after December 31, 2006.

Members of targeted groups. For employees who begin work after December 31, 2006, the following changes pertaining to targeted group members apply. Ex-felons are no longer required to be a member of a low-income family. Food stamp recipients must be at least age 18 when hired, but not age 40 or older.

Upcoming Tax Dates

August 10 — Employees who work for tipsIf you received $20 or more in tips during July, report them to your employer - Details

August 10 — Social security, Medicare, and withheld income taxFile Form 941 for the second quarter of 2015. This due date applies only if you deposited the tax for the quarter timely, properly, and in full.

August 12 — Communications and air transportation taxes under the alternative method. Deposit the tax included in amounts billed or tickets sold during the first 15 days of July.

August 14 — Regular method taxesDeposit the tax for the last 16 days of July.

August 17 — Social security, Medicare, and withheld income taxIf the monthly deposit rule applies, deposit the tax for payments in July.